Racer X is an American heavy metal band formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, California. The band's name is both a reference to the character from Speed Racer, and the speed that was an integral part of their virtuosic music in the 1980s. The group was founded by guitarist Paul Gilbert—who later went on to achieve great success with the multi platinum-selling hard rock band Mr. Big—and bassist John Alderete.

Racer X is a U.S. heavy metal band. It was founded in 1985, in Los Angeles, California, by guitarist Paul Gilbert (lead guitarist of the multi platinum-selling hard rock band, Mr Big (until 1997)). The name ‘Racer X’ is both a reference to a character in Speed Racer and the speed that was an integral part of the band’s music. Their music focuses on virtuosic guitar playing in the neoclassical manner. Gilbert continues to perform with Racer X from ti